Wire-to-wire winner of the Wood Memorial in New York, this California-based colt missed the Preakness and Belmont with a foot issue. Has done his best running on the lead and should be expected to be part of the early pace. Baffert won the Belmont in 2001, 2015 and 2018.
Kentucky Derby winner skipped the Preakness by choice of his connections and comes into the Belmont Stakes having won 2 of 3 starts this year. Captured Gulfstream's Fountain of Youth and finished second in the Florida Derby there. Debuted fourth at Saratoga last summer in only local start. Trainer Mott won '10 Belmont (Drosselmeyer).
Kentucky Derby third-place finisher and Santa Anita Derby runner-up has a Triple Crown legacy pedigree. Dam, Puca, already produced 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage and 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch. Trainer Shirreffs orchestrated 50-1 shot Giacomo to upset the 2005 Kentucky Derby and managed the legendary mare Zenyatta.
British-bred and based son of Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A.P. was fifth in the Preakness and has remained stateside for the Belmont. Both career wins have come in 1-mile journeys. Father-daughter trainer-jockey tandem.
Peter Pan winner jumps into the Triple Crown late after a reported fever forced him to miss the Wood Memorial and potentially make the Kentucky Derby. Breeders' Cup Juvenile third-place finisher was also third in the Tampa Bay Derby in March. Trainer Brown, third last year with Sierra Leone, seeks his first Belmont win.
Peter Pan Stakes sixth-place finisher would be a Belmont longshot in search of his first stakes win. Debuted a Saratoga winner last summer. Trainer Pletcher is a 4-time Belmont Stakes winner, most recently 2022 with Mo Donegal. 2-time Belmont winner Saez rode Dornoch to victory last year.
Sir Barton Stakes winner at Pimlico on the Preakness Day undercard, this would be his first attempt at the graded-stakes level. Debuted in February, broke his maiden at Keeneland in April and would be among the most lightly raced Belmont contenders. Trainer Pletcher has 4 wins in this race, jockey Velazquez has 2.
